Consultations 301-262-5500
Recent Blog Posts
Handling Emotional Issues and Work After Divorce
It may go without saying, but a divorce can be an emotionally traumatic experience for women and men alike. More than just the common blues that come with the end of a relationship, there may be a need take time off from work to deal with psychological issues that may arise
In these situations, it is important to know that you may be allowed to use Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) time to deal with personal issues. This is especially important if you are leaving an abusive relationship and you need time to heal from emotional injuries as well as physical ones.
Since FMLA time is unpaid (as it is designed to hold a job open), you may also be able to use disability insurance to cover your time away from work. Before allowing time off, your employer may require you to bring a recommendation from your physician explaining that you need time off, and how long you will be away.
There may be some trepidation about letting people at work know why you are away. After all, having emotional issues is not exactly a popular topic in the office, and you may be afraid of what your superiors (and colleagues) may think of you. However, if emotional issues prevent you from being productive, pride and fear should be set aside.
Three Helpful Halloween Safety Tips for Pedestrians
Halloween night is arguably the ultimate holiday for candy lovers and makeup artists. After all, kids of all ages will take part in dressing in costumes, while little ones will be walking their neighborhoods to go trick-or-treating. Festivities on Halloween night bring their own set of dangers, however. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of pedestrian accidents tends to go up on October 31. Because of this, it is important for pedestrians to be particularly vigilant.
This post will highlight a few helpful tips so that people can have a safe and scary Halloween.
Make sure drivers can see you – With daylight savings time coming to an end, a number of trick-or-treaters are likely to be out after sunset. Since pedestrians are harder to see at night, it is prudent to have glow sticks or bright costumes that have reflective strips. Even small LED lights on the costume can be helpful. Regardless of how you proceed, making sure drivers can see you is important.
Ways to Make Your Divorce Stress-Free
If you are thinking about divorce, but are unsure of when and how to go about it, chances are that you have already received pieces of advice from friends and family. The recommendations may range from the practical to the ridiculous, and they may leave you more confused, or angry, with what to do.
Whatever the advice you are given, chances are they are based on one person’s personal experiences, so what you are given may not be the best given your circumstances. However, there are some helpful things that can apply regardless of your situation.
Be a grown-up – In the midst of a divorce, adults have a tendency to result to middle school bickering and taunting. Even more destructive, they may play games over assets and may resort to using children as pawns to get what they want. It is important to remember that you and your soon-to-be ex are both adults, and the court will expect you to act like one.
No one cares about your sense of fairness – If you base your expectations on your impression of what is fair, chances are that you are going to be out of luck. Family court judges base their decisions on what the law allows (for property division) and what it is in the child’s best interests (for custody and parenting time). They can care less about what you believe is fair.
Things to Consider About Divorce and Domestic Violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence, one of the most challenging decisions you may ever have to face is divorcing your spouse. Many people who have suffered at the hands of their partners are often afraid to leave them. The trauma of everything endured can make the divorce process more stressful and devastating than it should be.
As a resident of Maryland, you have the option of filing for a no-fault and fault grounds divorce. Since your situation has a history of violence, it may be beneficial for you to file for a fault grounds divorce because there is no waiting period.
To qualify for a faults grounds separation because of domestic violence, you must prove your soon-to-be-ex-spouse exposed you and your kids to harm and endangered your lives and health and created unsafe living conditions. Take some time to consider the following actions you can take to protect yourself and loved ones from further domestic violence abuse and trauma during and after your divorce:
How Alcohol Use Can Lead to Car Accidents
All too often, people do not weight the effects of alcohol consumption before deciding to drink and drive. As dangerous as the behavior can be, many do not believe each glass of beer, wine and alcohol they consume affects their driving behaviors.
Alcohol causes impairment. The level of impairment generally varies from person to person. It dulls the senses, decreases awareness and slows down thought processes and reflexes. Anyone who drinks alcohol should consider the following actions they can take to avoid crashing and hurting themselves, friends and other motorists.
Impairment Often Starts with The First Sip
It may seem as if high levels of alcohol consumption lead to catastrophic car accidents. But the reality is, even small amounts of alcohol can affect drivers so much that they do not recognize they are not in a condition to operate a vehicle. Many people assume that it is okay to drive while buzzed, but that buzzed feeling is enough to increase the number of driving errors they make.
Co-Parent Easily During the School Year by Utilizing These Tips
The arrival of autumn and the change in seasons signals a few things. Beyond the change of colors in the leaves and the much anticipated arrival of the pumpkin spice latte, it means back to school for kids. While kids are abuzz with the change in seasons, it can be tough to handle the switch between summer schedules and fall schedules with your child’s other parent in a child custody arrangement. Handle the transition smoothly by utilizing these co-parenting tips.
Schedules can get hectic for parents living in separate households raising a kid who is going back to school this fall. With technology advancements, many schools are revolutionizing as well, so make sure to take advantage of any online communications that you and your spouse can access to keep a better eye on your kid’s school work. In addition, allow both parents to be notified by the school about anything significant, that way no parent is out of the loop. Even though you are not together, try to attend the parent-teacher conferences together as this allows both parents to be a part of their child’s accomplishments and to know about any challenges they may be facing this school year.
Reckless Drivers Can Be Held Accountable for The Havoc They Wreak
Thousands of Bowie residents make the responsible decision to drive safely everyday. Driving safely isn’t just about abiding by the laws either. It’s about making a conscious decision to be alert and aware every time a driver gets behind the wheel. Of course, there is always one person (or a bunch of people!) who ruin it for everyone and in this case, that means reckless drivers and inattentive drivers.
Trying to pinpoint which drivers, and when, reckless behaviors and inattentiveness will occur is very difficult. It can be hard to know exactly what a driver is doing behind the wheel. They could be texting, drowsy, or otherwise distracted and this could easily cause a car accident and injuries to them and other parties. Oftentimes, laws are broken when a driver is inattentive or reckless. They may speed, swerve between lanes and even run traffic signals due to their inattention.
The injures that can result when another vehicle is involved in a car accident with a distracted or reckless driver can be severe. Since the vehicle can lose control or end up in a place they aren’t supposed to be, oftentimes another vehicle has no-where to go. They could be rear-ended, t-boned or even forced off the road while trying to avoid the other vehicle. At the Law Office of Kari Holm Fawcett, we know how these injuries can take a toll on your family and impact your life.
What Is a Limited and Absolute Divorce in Maryland?
When a Maryland couple becomes engaged they’re pretty much on cloud nine. Nothing can distract a couple from their love. But, a divorce can happen to any couple, no matter how in love they may seem at the start of their marriage. In Maryland, there are two types of divorce, a limited divorce and an absolute divorce. These two types of divorce allow for flexibility for couples whose marriage may be ending.
A limited divorce is where the court supervises the separation of the couple. This type of divorce works well for couples who do not have grounds for an absolute divorce, they’re unable to settle their differences privately and need financial relief. A person cannot be remarried under limited divorce, but the couple can live apart. Temporary custody arrangements, child support arrangements and alimony may be arranged.
An absolute divorce is where a marriage is officially dissolved. In order to have an absolute divorce, there needs to be grounds established. These can include adultery, desertion, criminal activity, 12 month separation, cruelty towards spouse or child, insanity or mutual consent.
Divorcing a Spouse with Mental Illness
Divorce is painful, frightening and overwhelming for any couple. Adding mental illness into the equation only makes the situation more complex. You may fear judgment from loved ones or feel guilt due to wanting to break the vow to be there in sickness and in health.
Unfortunately, divorce may be the best option for the whole family if your spouse refuses to seek help or follow medical advice. You can end the marriage compassionately while still protecting your rights.
What Is Mental Illness?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness is a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder that does not stem from developmental issues or substance abuse. Severe types affect about 4 percent of U.S. adults, whereas at least 17.9 percent of adults have any type. Examples of mental illnesses are bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, autism, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders.
Why Would One Seek Alimony in A Divorce?
A life change as big as a divorce can feel overwhelming upon first glance. While it’s definitely not a decision to take lightly, it is also a decision that can be taken in steps. Addressing each issue that comes up with the process of divorce can make everything feel more manageable. One aspect that impacts some Bowie residents in a divorce is the issue of alimony.
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a term given to the financial support one ex-spouse gives the other, as outlined in the divorce decree. Not all divorces will have a clause for alimony, as it is only assigned in certain situations. That situation would dictate that after a marriage has ended, it left an imbalance in financial capabilities and opportunities per the arrangement of the dissolved marriage. If one spouse forwent their career and financial opportunities while the other spouse was able to achieve in this area of their life, this is often a situation in which one person pays the other ex-spouse alimony.
Office
14300 Gallant Fox Ln, Ste 103
Bowie, MD 20715
Schedule a Consultation
301-262-5500
Fee: $150 for 30 Minute Consultation
Contact Our Team
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
I have read and understand the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
